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Obesity during adolescence is significantly associated with socioeconomic status and genetic factors, but the contribution of dietary intake and physical activity is conflicting, a review of 40 published studies shows. Noting that literature on the multiple factors linked to childhood obesity is limited, researchers said further studies are needed…

Children living in disadvantaged neighborhoods are more likely to become obese and have mental disorders than those growing up in more advantageous areas. This effect seems to depend more on the environment and not so much on a child’s genetic risk, a study suggests. The reasons…

People who carry genetic variants that predispose them to obesity are more susceptible to increases in body weight and waist circumference when eating a western diet — e.g., sweetened beverages and fast foods. These genetic variants, however, had no effect on body fat among people eating healthy diets. The study…

A home environment that promotes obesity, such as eating unhealthy food, doing less exercise, and having more sedentary behaviors, makes children at risk for genetic obesity more vulnerable to excessive weight gain, according to a study.  This susceptibility was significantly lower in…

Genetic variations in the tenomodulin (TNMD) gene are associated with obesity and metabolic alterations in children in a sex-specific manner, working as a risk factor in boys while being a protective element in girls, a study has found. Findings suggest that genetic variants of the TNMD gene could be used as…

Genetic obesity increases the production of proteins involved in freeing pancreatic cells from excess cholesterol, which may help protect their ability to produce insulin, an early study in rats suggests. The mechanism may also explain why some people with a pre-diabetic precursor condition are able to…

Setmelanotide is showing promising efficacy to reduce weight and hunger in patients with melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) pathway heterozygous obesity, particularly those with more severe genetic mutations, announced the treatment’s developer Rhythm Pharmaceuticals. The findings come…

Although obesity is mostly related to unhealthy habits, new research in adolescents suggests that epigenetic changes — those that affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence — in obesity-related genes also may contribute to the disease. The study with that finding, “Association between DNA methylation in obesity-related genes…

A specific variant of the LRP1B gene, and other alterations that affect protein production from this gene, are associated with severe obesity in children, according to a new study. The research, “The genetic and epigenetic association of LDL Receptor Related Protein 1B (LRP1B) gene with childhood…

Rhythm Pharmaceuticals expects the first results of Phase 3 trials assessing its lead candidate setmelanotide for POMC and LEPR deficiency obesity in the third quarter of 2019. The company also plans to apply for a new drug application…